Who was the biggest steal of NBA draft?

Here's the best-kept secret when NBA writers talk about college players: They have no idea. They can only tell you who their coaches are. And only at Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky.

Actually, funnier than asking NBA writers about college kids are asking NBA coaches, past or present. Jeff Van Gundy looked like a guy who didn't have answers to a pop quiz Thursday night. He's an NBA guy.

NBA writers compare all the mock drafts and fake it like Milli Vanilli.

So, I'm telling you the biggest steal of the draft was absolutely, without question, John Henson (Milwaukee at 14.) I believe he's from North Carolina, coached by Roy Williams.

The Celtics did not go after players who were unproven or had a tremendous "upside" as analysts like to say. Drafting Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger instantly makes the Celtics younger and bolsters their frontcourt.

Coach Doc Rivers has done it again. He ignored the concerns about both players with the thought they could develop into solid contributors. Melo dominated the Big East before being sidelined by academic problems. He benefits because he goes to an established franchise where he can blend in rather than stick out on a losing team. There were concerns about Sullinger's back, but it's too early to write him off.

If an aging Mike Miller can fight through back issues late in his career, surely Sullinger can do it now.

Everybody's guessing when it comes to the NBA draft, even general managers. That said, any time you can get a projected lottery pick-type talent at No. 28, it has to be considered a steal.

Baylor's Perry Jones III scared some teams off with supposed knee and maturity issues, but he is a long, athletic point forward with a lot of upside. That he landed with one of the premier organizations in the league, one strong on player development and talent, should only help Jones.

With a solid core of winning players and strong management, Oklahoma City should be able to maximize Jones' upside. Supposedly, he has work ethic issues at times. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will take care of that — on top of what the coaching staff emphasizes.

No matter what Andy Katz may say about his bulging, er, disks, Jared Sullinger going No. 21 to the Celtics has got to be the steal of this draft. Widely projected as a top-10 pick before his back injury was detected earlier this month, the former Ohio State big man can be a game-changer for Boston.

A Celtics franchise that needs to plan for the post-Kevin Garnett years now has a solid frontcourt duo in Sullinger and Syracuse's Fab Melo. Sullinger will gobble up rebounds and has an improving long-range game.

Any concerns about his back should be put to rest when he plays in the Orlando Summer League beginning July 9. Don't be surprised if Sullinger then makes the rest of the NBA regret its decision not to give him a shot.